{"id":32974,"date":"2021-09-21T09:15:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-21T07:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/?p=32974"},"modified":"2021-09-21T09:12:16","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T07:12:16","slug":"planning-a-career-change-should-i-go-back-to-university-as-a-mature-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/planning-a-career-change-should-i-go-back-to-university-as-a-mature-student\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning a career change: Should I go back to university as a mature student?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re in your thirties or older and <strong>considering a career change<\/strong>, you\u2019re not alone. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Millennials\">Millennials <\/a>have been described as the \u201cjob-hopping generation\u201d because we are far less likely to stick to one position or even one profession than previous generations.<br \/><br \/>Whether you\u2019re returning to study something new or enrolling for the first time, there are many reasons people delay attending tertiary education and eventually become mature students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Family commitments<br \/><\/strong>If you had children at a relatively young age or had caring responsibilities for other family members, pursuing further education may not have been an option before. Thankfully, there\u2019s no age limit on learning, so you\u2019re free to apply whenever your circumstances are supportive.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>The cost of tuition<br \/><\/strong>Depending on where you live in the world, studying can be very expensive. Maybe you weren\u2019t willing or able to make that investment before. Don\u2019t worry, that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ve missed your chance! If you now have the resources to pursue higher education, it could certainly boost your income-making potential in the future.<\/li><li><strong>Started working after high school<br \/><\/strong>If you managed to secure employment straight out of high school, you might not have seen the need for further study. However, later in life, you may be noticing attractive opportunities that require specific qualifications.<\/li><li><strong>Uncertainty about what to study<\/strong><br \/>When you think about it, we make very important decisions for our future at a surprisingly young age! Maybe you weren\u2019t sure what you wanted to do when you were younger, so you chose not to study at all. Now that you\u2019re older, you have a clearer idea about where you want to take your career. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/reasons-to-study-a-dba-instead-of-a-phd-in-business-management\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"31293\">You know what you want to study, and you can still do it<\/a>!<\/li><li><strong>The desire for a career change<\/strong><br \/>Many mature students obtained a degree in the past. However, after some time in the workforce, they\u2019ve now identified another subject that interests them. They may be looking to specialize in a specific topic or make a drastic career change. Either way, additional academic qualifications could help.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Feeling a little apprehensive about the prospect of studying as an older student? That\u2019s completely natural! Most mature students have some doubts when it comes to returning to the classroom, but you shouldn\u2019t let your worries deter you from taking a life-changing step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1393\" src=\"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3772712-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Business School Barcelona\" class=\"wp-image-32984\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some of the most commonly expressed concerns about life as a mature student:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>\u201cI won\u2019t fit in with my peers.\u201d<\/strong><br \/>It\u2019s unlikely that you\u2019ll be the only mature student in your course. Last year in England, mature students made up more than a third of the country\u2019s undergraduates and exactly half of its postgraduate students, for example.<br \/>Even if you are older than them, you have one crucial thing in common with your classmates: a shared interest in what you\u2019re studying!<\/li><li><strong>\u201cI\u2019ve forgotten how to study.\u201d<\/strong><br \/>If you haven\u2019t been in a classroom since you were a teenager, it\u2019s understandable to feel intimidated by the prospect of further study. However, you\u2019ll likely find the experience of higher education to be very different from high school!<br \/>For people worried about their stale study skills, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/online-university-information-sessions-what-to-ask-before-starting-a-degree-when-you-cant-visit-the-campus\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"32937\">refresher courses can be found online<\/a>.<\/li><li><strong>\u201cThe classroom has changed too much.\u201d<\/strong><br \/>The classroom has indeed changed significantly, but you\u2019re not the only one adapting to these changes! Over the last couple of years, technology has transformed the educational environment.<br \/>Post-pandemic, we\u2019re all dealing with differences in our daily lives. Maybe this is the right time to embrace a new challenge.<\/li><li><strong>\u201cI won\u2019t have anything to offer.\u201d<\/strong><br \/>This couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. Some mature students struggle with insecurity because they believe their ideas will be outdated or irrelevant in the eyes of their classmates. In reality, your wealth of real-life knowledge will undoubtedly enrich your learning.<br \/>Coming from a different perspective will give your classroom contributions a fresh angle.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1395\" src=\"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-5186379-1-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Business School Munich\" class=\"wp-image-32987\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, every student has strengths and weaknesses, mature or otherwise. Younger students will also have concerns about starting their course. In fact, they may be equally intimidated by you!<br \/>After all, <strong>you enjoy many advantages as someone studying later in life<\/strong>, whether you realize them or not. For example, you have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Increased self-confidence<\/strong><br \/>Now is a stressful time, but in general, you\u2019ll find that you know yourself more than the average first-time student, and this will bring you confidence. Moreover, having experienced ups and downs in the workplace, you\u2019re bound to bring a certain level of resilience to your studies.<\/li><li><strong>Real-life experience<\/strong><br \/>Theory and practice are two different things. What you\u2019ve gone through in life\u2014whether that\u2019s parenting, working, traveling, or any other meaningful experiences\u2014will help you understand how what you learn in the classroom can be applied beyond it.<\/li><li><strong>Focus and dedication<\/strong><br \/>Young students are often <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/barcelona-a-global-hub-for-higher-education\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"32252\">living independently for the first time<\/a>, which brings a whole host of fun and stressful distractions! As a mature student, you\u2019ve already gone through these formative experiences. This can bring a greater degree of focus to your studies.<\/li><li><strong>Informed decision-making<\/strong><br \/>When mature students choose to enroll, they usually have a goal in mind and are ready to commit themselves fully to achieving it. As a result, they are likely to approach the experience of studying very strategically, making smart decisions for their future.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"937\" src=\"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-6550407-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Business School Barcelona\" class=\"wp-image-32990\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are you planning to return to university as a mature student? Here are some top tips to ensure you make the most of this opportunity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Remember that <strong>you\u2019re not alone<\/strong>. Use online forums to connect with other mature students if there aren\u2019t any in your class.<\/li><li>Access additional support if required. Maybe you need to <strong>boost your IT skills<\/strong>, or you\u2019re unsure about citing sources. Courses and resources are available!<\/li><li>Consider <strong>flexible study options<\/strong>. Studying part-time and\/or online could help you balance your responsibilities.<\/li><li>Think deeply about your skills and interests. Then, <strong>choose a course that you\u2019ll really enjoy<\/strong> and one that will support you to succeed.<\/li><li>Don\u2019t wait too long! After all, if the prospect of studying in your thirties scares you, how will you feel in your forties? It makes sense to <strong>take action sooner rather than later<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/study.euruni.edu\/info-study-business-europe?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_mode=30&amp;utm_campaign=gif-footer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Define_750x125_3-1.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36087\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re in your thirties or older and considering a career change, you\u2019re not alone. Millennials have been described as the \u201cjob-hopping generation\u201d because we are far less likely to stick to one position or even one profession than previous generations. Whether you\u2019re returning to study something new or enrolling for the first time, there are many reasons people delay attending tertiary education and eventually become mature students: Family commitmentsIf you had children at a relatively young age or had caring responsibilities for other family members, pursuing further education may not have been an option before. Thankfully, there\u2019s no age [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":32982,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1764],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eu-business-school","post--single"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\r\n<title>Planning a career change: Should I go back to university as a mature student?<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Millennials have been described as the \u201cjob-hopping generation\u201d because we are far less likely to stick to one position or even one profession than previous generations.\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/planning-a-career-change-should-i-go-back-to-university-as-a-mature-student\/\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"EU Business School\" \/>\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.euruni.edu\\\/blog\\\/planning-a-career-change-should-i-go-back-to-university-as-a-mature-student\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"EU Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.euruni.edu\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"EU Business School\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.euruni.edu\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/eu-business-school\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Planning a career change: Should I go back to university as a mature student?\"}]}]}<\/script>\r\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Planning a career change: Should I go back to university as a mature student?","description":"Millennials have been described as the \u201cjob-hopping generation\u201d because we are far less likely to stick to one position or even one profession than previous generations.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/planning-a-career-change-should-i-go-back-to-university-as-a-mature-student\/","author":"EU Business School","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/planning-a-career-change-should-i-go-back-to-university-as-a-mature-student\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"EU Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"EU Business School","item":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/category\/eu-business-school\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Planning a career change: Should I go back to university as a mature student?"}]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32974"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32974\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33001,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32974\/revisions\/33001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euruni.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}